Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks.
And when she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one.

On this date (August 4) in 1892 Lizzie Borden's father and her step-mother were murdered in the family home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Lizzie Andrew Borden, 32 years old at that time, became the central figure in these axe murders. The slayings, the trial, and the ensuing trial by media aroused widespread controversy. The incident has endured to this day in American pop culture and criminology. Although Lizzie Borden was acquitted, no one else was ever tried and she has remained notorious in American folklore. Dispute over the identity of the killer or killers still continues.

Those with cravings for Lizzie Borden information and paraphernalia are known as "Bordenphiles". The Nashua Public Library has several items you could begin with:

The Borden tragedy : a memoir of the infamous double murder at Fall River, Mass., 1892 / adapted and illustrated by Rick Geary.

Lizzie Borden : the hands of time by Muriel Arnold.

The Fall River tragedy : a history of the Borden murders / by Edwin H. Porter
a facsimile of the 1893 book with a foreword by Robert A. Flynn .

Murder, culture, and injustice : four sensational cases in American history by Walter L. Hixson.

The ability to kill : true tales of bloody murder by Ambler, Eric.

On the Internet, you can take a look at The Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library to search for information about researchers, read Lizzie's Blog, discuss the case with other Bordenphiles, and even shop for Lizzie Borden gifts and books. You can subscribe to The Hatchet: Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies or take a look at ten years of resources in the Lizzie Borden Quarterly. Other sites of interest are Lizzie Borden Unlocked providing a good deal of infomation about the legend, trial and investigation and the Lizzie Borden Exhibit which includes a RealAudio rendition of the above nursery rhyme and a tour of the museum. And if you would like to see the entire lyrics of the Chad Mitchell satirical song popularized in the 1960's by the Chad Mitchell Trio go to the International Lyrics Playground.

Let us know of any other interesting sites you may find.